GWP: Dons suffer tough defeat in So Cal opener

Santa Barbara High lost a 10-9 girls water polo sudden-death heart-breaker against San Diego’s Cathedral Catholic in its opening game at the Southern California Championships in Orange County on Thursday.

Kristina Garcia pumped in six goals, Grace Raisin drew three ejections and goalkeeper Siena Goggia made 14 saves, but it wasn’t enough for the Dons.

Lara Kostruba scored with 10 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 9-9 and send the game into overtime. In the extra period, Goggia came up big on a counter attack and Cathedral Catholic two power plays to keep the score deadlocked.

The Dons missed a penalty shot and failed to capitalize on a power play in the sudden-death period.